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Destin, a tourist stop on Florida's emerald coast between Pensacola and Panama City, has 24 miles of white sand beaches on the Gulf of Mexico. The city of Destin is also known as the world's luckiest fishing village. Anglers can fish inshore, off shore and right on the banks of the Gulf. Fishing at Destin beach can yield game fish including grouper, red snapper, amberjack and triggerfish.

Locations & Licenses

Though fishing at Destin beach commonly takes place at the beach pier and jetty, it is allowed anywhere along the shore. Some choose to take charter fishing boats for inshore or deep sea fishing. A saltwater fishing license is required for anglers ages 16 to 64. Those who are exempt from getting a fishing license include those taking charter fishing, permanently disabled residents and members of the military who are home temporarily. Residents can purchase a fishing license for one or five years. Non-residents can purchase a fishing license for three days, seven days or one year and will pay more than residents.

Catch

Which fish are caught depends on the fishing location and the time of year. On-shore fishing can bring Florida pompano, cobia, king and Spanish mackerel, sheepshead, whiting and channel bass, and the best time to fish is April through October. From March through November, those fishing close to shore can reel in many of the same fish as on-shore as well as bonita and schoolie dolphin.

Regulations

Some regulations may apply to fishing at Destin beach. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has rules and regulations about which fish can be caught and kept, which ones can be caught and must be released, how many of each type fish can be caught and the maximum size of each type fish caught. Regulations change regularly, and the FWC website (see Resources) lists current information before.

Rodeo

Destin truly becomes a fishing town each October when more than 30,000 people take part in the Destin Fishing Rodeo. Established in 1948, the Rodeo attracts men, women and junior anglers competing on-shore and off for trophies, merchandise and bonds. There is no entry fee for anyone fishing on a registered rodeo boat or for those 14 and under fishing from the pier bridge jetty. Everyone over 15 not fishing from a registered boat must pay a $25 entry fee.

References

Resources

About the Author

Serena Brown graduated from the University of South Alabama with a bachelor's degree in communication. She has more than 15 years of experience in newspaper, radio and television reporting. Brown has also authored educational, medical and fitness material.